Driver who lost legs vows to race again
Stars backing teenager after accident
CRASH: A teenage British racing driver who lost both legs in a horrific accident has vowed to get back behind the wheel.
Billy Monger was racing at Donington Park when he was involved in a high-speed collision. He has won the support of former Formula 1 world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
A TEENAGE British racing driver who lost both legs following a horrific crash has vowed to get back behind the wheel.
Billy Monger was racing in the Formula 4 championship at Donington Park last month when he was involved in a high-speed collision with a stationary car, and was trapped for 90 minutes.
Despite medics’ best efforts, the teenager lost both of his lower legs and has spent nearly a month in hospital.
His story has touched motorsport fans the world over, who have raised £800,000 for his future with former Formula 1 world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button giving their backing to the teen known as Billy Whizz.
Mr Monger, who turned 18 yesterday, said: “I’ll be back racing as soon as I can.”
He was speaking after it was revealed that more than £100,000 had been raised to secure his future.
And with the support of Button and Hamilton, the crowdfunding appeal is close to topping £800,000 with donations from more than 18,000 individuals.
The JHR Developments team set up the Just-Giving page with the aim of raising £260,000.
In a tweet, the team said all donations would go to helping Billy’s future
They added: “From all of us at JHR and the Monger family, we gratefully appreciate any donations no matter how big or small. Thanks for your support.”
But since then, the appeal has gone from strength to strength with messages of support including: “All the best mate, let’s hope you can get behind the wheel again, and become the next Alex Zinardi” and “Good luck for a speedy recovery. You are a very brave and determined young man and will get back behind that wheel again”.
Mercedes-Benz driver Hamilton, who has 4.32m followers on Twitter, tweeted about Monger after hearing of the driver’s catastrophic injuries.
Hamilton tweeted: “I have only just seen the news of this tragic incident.”
He later added: “Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, @BillyMonger”.
Button wrote on his Instagram account: “Hey guys this fellow racer Billy Monger had a big shunt this past weekend at Donington and sadly Billy has had amputations to both legs.
“This guy needs our help so if you can please donate, I will be doing as much as I can to help this dude out.
“The donations will be used to fund the care, treatments and therapies required by Billy in the immediate future and going forward, helping him to return to a full and active life. Info is on my bio.”
A statement on the JustGiving page says: “After being involved in one of the most horrific crashes motorsport has seen Billy Monger is a teenager that needs little introduction.
“Thousands of people have already watched the haunting footage of the crash which left Billy fighting for his life.
“Sadly Billy has had amputations to both legs.
“Well known in motorsport for being not only an extremely talented young driver but for also being a truly special 18-year-old – loved and admired by his team, fellow competitors, supporters and of course his devoted family.”
Donations will be used to fund the support, treatments and therapy required by Billy now and in the future.
I will be doing as much as I can to help this dude out.
Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button.